A profound spiritual journey has commenced on the sacred banks of the Ganga in Prayagraj. With the observance of Paush Purnima Snan on Saturday, an estimated four lakh devotees have embarked on the sacred tradition of Kalpvas, marking the beginning of a month of intense devotion and discipline during the Magh Mela.
The Scriptural Significance and Ritual Commencement
According to ancient Hindu scriptures like the Padma Purana and the Mahabharata, performing Kalpvas during the Magh month by the Ganga grants virtues equivalent to a staggering 100 years of penance. Following the holy dip on Paush Purnima, lakhs of devotees formally initiate their Kalpvas. The ritual start involves planting saplings of banana, Tulsi, and barley, symbolizing life and purity.
These devotees will now observe a disciplined lifestyle for one full month, from Paush Purnima to Maghi Purnima. This period is characterized by fasting, simple living, and deep spiritual engagement. Noted religious scholar Dr. Amitabh Gour explained the importance of the practice, stating that performing Kalpvas at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj during the Magh Mela is considered highly auspicious.
Understanding Kalpvas: A Gateway to Spiritual Liberation
Kalpvas literally means residing on the banks of the Ganga for an entire month. While the full period is from Paush Purnima to Maghi Purnima, Dr. Gour noted that some devotees, depending on their capacity and conscience, undertake shorter durations of 3, 5, or 11 days. The scriptures hold the completion of 12 years of Kalpvas during the Magh Mela in particularly high regard, considering it a highly rewarding and liberating achievement.
In the Sanatan tradition, Kalpvas is viewed as a spiritual gateway. It facilitates an individual's transition from the 'Vanaprastha' (forest dweller) stage to the 'Sanyas' (renunciant) ashram. The practice is designed for profound inner and outer rejuvenation, stripping away material attachments and focusing the mind on the divine.
The Rules and the Gathering of Devotees
The observance of Kalpvas follows a strict code of conduct aimed at purification. The key rules include:
- Taking a bath in the Ganga twice daily.
- Consuming simple, sattvic meals.
- Complete abstention from vices and worldly pleasures.
- Adherence to truth, non-violence, and compassion.
- Devotion through chanting, meditation, and listening to religious discourses.
The magnetic pull of this sacred practice extends far beyond Uttar Pradesh. This year, devotees have arrived from neighboring states such as Bihar and Madhya Pradesh to participate in the Kalpvas, creating a vast and vibrant spiritual community on the mela grounds. The banks of the Ganga at Triveni Sangam have transformed into a bustling township of faith, where the quest for spiritual merit and liberation takes center stage for the coming month.
